Clamping device



May 13, 1941. F. M. POWERS CLAMPING DEVICE fzyenz ar" Filed March 4, 1940 Patented May 13, 1941 UITED iii CLAMPING DEVICE David W. Powers Application March 4, 1940, Serial No. 3%2J253 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in clamping devices and more particularly to such a device adapted for supporting a rod, such as, for example, the head-rod of an awning, shade or curtain. The device constitutes an improvement over that shown in United States Letters Patent 2,120,0l8ConeJune '7, 1938.

One of the features of my invention is the provision of a clamping device of this type which can be easily and cheaply made, and easily installed and operated.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of such a device having means thereon for the attachment of one or more pulleys as commonly utilized in connection with the operation of an awning or the like.

Another feature of my device is that it can be made out of one piece of wire thus greatly reducing the cost of manufacture.

Other features and advantages will appear more full as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing the device in use, Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation showing the rod released.

As shown in the drawing, the clamping device comprises a single piece of wire bent in the form of a staple with one leg longer than the other and the ends bent upwardly and forwardly to provide hooks. The upper hook is adapted to receive the rod and the lower hook may support one or more pulleys.

The device in general is indicated by [9, the upper bend being indicated by Ill The legs are indicated b lil and [8 respectively, the latter being the longer one. The shorter leg is bent upwardly as indicated by lfi to form the hook which supports the rod I2 with the awning material l3 thereon. The end of the longer leg as indicated by Ill is bent upwardly to form the hook adapted to support one or more pulleys as indicated by Hi.

In the operation of the device, a supporting member such as the screw-eye I 5 is first inserted in the wall or backing structure IE on which the head-rod is to be supported. The head of the screw-eye is preferably left in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3. The clamping device, after first being placed in a horizontal position, is then slipped over the screw-eye and then turned into vertical position as shown in the drawings, so that the shank of the screw-eye extends through the crotch of the staple and supports the device on the wall. The pulley or pulleys are then attached to the lower hook. The rod I2 is then placed on the hook or rod support lfi The eye of the screw-eye is then turned into-vertical position so that its lower portion, acting as a cam surface, bears against the rod forcing it downwardly into the rod support lfl and securely holding it in position thereon. It is to be understood that two or more clamping devices are preferably employed at suitable intervals along the length of the rod to support the same.

It will be seen that after the rod is installed it may easily be removed by merely turning the screw to horizontal position. This permits removal of the rod and the clamping device itself.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement ma be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claim, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described, including, a single piece of metal bent in the form of a staple with one leg longer than the other and the ends bent upwardly and forwardly, the shorter end providing a rod support, and the longer end providing a hook adapted to support a pulley, and a member in the crotch of the staple with a cam surface adapted to be turned to engage a rod to hold it on the rod support.

FRANK M. POWERS. 

